Passing of Captain Tom Benedictson

May 25, 2017

We are deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of our friend, retired brother Tom Benedictson .
Our deepest & sincerest condolences go out to Tom’s family. He will be missed.

We would like to share details of our brother Tom Benedictson’s remembrance service:
This Tuesday, May 30th at Bruce Park @noon As per Tom’s family, uniforms are not required.

24th Canadian Legislative Conference

May 19, 2017

To: All Members of Local 867

From:

24th Canadian Legislative Conference

Ottawa, April 9 – 12, 2017

Report by Robert Campbell

(Chair Welfare Committee, Member Political Action Committee)

To The Membership:

UFFW members Alex Forrest, Dave Naaykens and Robert Campbell recently returned home from Ottawa after attending the 24th Canadian Legislative Conference.

We are happy to announce the passing of the PSOC Act. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced funding for the Public Safety Officer Award which supports the families of Public Safety Officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

This Conference, along with lobbying efforts, has taken place over the past 24 years, with UFFW members in attendance. President Alex Forrest has been attending every year for 22 years.

The success of this lobby is due to UFFW believing in this issue and never giving up. The financial compensation to the families is estimated to be approximately $300,000.00, and the criteria will be based on Provincial Workmen’s Compensation Board guidelines. This lobby has been supported by members of every political party. As Alex Forrest stated when he spoke to the Prime Minister on our behalf, “never again will one of our members die in the Line of Duty and not be recognized by the Canadian Government for their sacrifice”.

While we are pleased with the recent success of the PSOC Award, our job is never done and we still have a number of issues we are lobbying with the Government of Canada:

1) The specification of firefighter safety as an objective of the National Building Code of Canada.

2) A review of the National Building Code of Canada, in conjunction with the International Association of Firefighters, to identify the most urgent safety issues impacting firefighters.

3) The recognition of firefighters, in their vital role as “first responders”, as an integral part of Canada’s “critical infrastructure”, and as “health care workers” under the Canada Influenza Pandemic Plan, entitled to priority access to vaccines and other drugs in cases of pandemics and other public health emergencies.

Another issue that has jumped to the forefront for firefighters is the issue of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) is calling on the federal government to continue to work towards the timely development of a coordinated National Action Plan for PTSD for first responders. The IAFF should continue to be a key stakeholder in developing the Plan.

Most recently, the IAFF has recommended that the Government of Canada prohibit consumer products, and components of consumer products, containing any flame retardant chemicals for which there is evidence of harm, including alternative flame retardants. Flame retardants are being found in the human body and are particularly toxic. The inclusion of flame retardant chemicals in furniture poses problems for firefighter’s health and safety.

We would also like to pass on a message from many of the Manitoba MP’s, “we thank the many members of UFFW for their political support and many of us were elected because of supporters like the Firefighters”.

2017 W.A. Laird Scholarship Information & Application

May 18, 2017

To:

From:

Date: May 17, 2017

To: All Members of Local 867

From: Chad Swayze, W.A. Laird Scholarship Chair

Re: 2017 William A. Laird Memorial Scholarship

Please see attached to this letter the Bill Laird Scholarship Information and Application.

Note that the deadline for the application is JULY 28, 2017. (Late entries will NOT be accepted).

If you require additional copies they can be printed from our website uffw.ca or by contacting myself at (204)299-5285 or cswayze@uffw.ca

Please indicate how you anticipate covering your costs throughout the next school year or how you covered your costs to attend Fire College, i.e. part time work, family assistance and other scholarships or awards applied for or received.

ALONG WITH THIS COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM PLEASE SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING ON SEPARATE PAGES:

Please indicate how you are involved in your community. Bill Laird embodied Community Service, and therefore this section will merit considerable recognition.

A transcript of your marks.

A typed essay (not less than 1000 words) ON THE FOLLOWING TOPIC:

The International Association of Fire Fighters has recently opened its Centre of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery. Located just outside of Washington, DC, this center is an in-patient residential facility exclusively for IAFF members to treat addictions and other co-occurring disorders, such as Post Traumatic Stress Injury. Explain how essential the facility is and how it will benefit firefighters in need of treatment.

This application must be returned to UFFW by, or postmarked on or before July 28, 2017. (Late entries will NOT be accepted)

2017 W.A. Laird Scholarship Information

May 18, 2017

To: All Members of Local 867

From:

William A. Laird Memorial Scholarship Information 2017

Bill Laird was a member of Local 867 for 37 years. Bill served on the Executive of Local 867, starting as a Trustee, and ultimately held the position of Vice President for 12 years. He served on various committees including pensions, bargaining, safety and compensation.

Provincially, Bill was President of the Manitoba Professional Fire Fighters Association from 1964 until his demise in 1992. He was Vice Chairman of the Building Standards Board and a commissioner of the Workers Compensation board. He successfully lobbied to have a presumptive Heart and Lung Regulation put in place. That regulation was struck down by the Appeal Court in January 1988. He represented all local unions in the Winnipeg area that resulted in the creation of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg in 1974. He was a fervent advocate of fire fighters rights in the Workers Compensation System.

Internationally, Bill was the Canadian I.A.F.F. Trustee from 1978 to 1992.

At the time of his demise, Bill held the rank of District Chief.

As a result of these and other achievements, it was decided by the membership at the Sept. 1994 General Meeting to provide for a perpetual scholarship fund in memory of William A. Laird.

General Information:

The William A. Laird Scholarship Fund is inviting applications for its scholarship awards. The awards this year are:

Three Scholarships – $500.00 each

Applicants must indicate financial status, community involvement, and demonstrate academic achievement. Applicants must be in their second or subsequent year of study or have completed NFPA Fire Fighter Level II at an accredited Canadian Fire College.

Eligibility:

The competition is open to children of members in good standing of U.F.F.W., Local 867. Children are defined as: sons, daughters and legally adopted children of members of Local 867. Also eligible are children of disabled, retired or deceased members who were members in good standing at the time of their disability, retirement or demise.

Method of Selection:

A selection committee of individuals who are not members of Local 867 will review the applications and other information provided based on the following criteria: community involvement, academic achievement and aptitude promise. Individuals who have not been awarded previous Laird Scholarships will be given first priority, although all are encouraged to apply. The Selection Committee may choose to conduct interviews to determine the award winners. The Executive of Local 867 has no input in the selection of winners. The decision of the Selection Committee is final.

Each applicant must complete a questionnaire and provide a report showing courses taken, grades obtained and community involvement. All records and information shall remain confidential. Each applicant is required to submit a typed essay of not less than 1000 words on the subject listed on the application form.

Closing date:

Applications must be returned to the Union Office, be in the hands of an Executive Board Member or be postmarked on or before July 28, 2017